Poetry

i leaned my forehead against the window,

the heat of my skin leaving 

a cloudy imprint on the cold glass. 

i watched the rain pour down, 

silently counting the tiny beads of water

chasing one another down the windowpane.

they leave thin, watery trails behind them 

as they glide down the smooth glass, 

eager to fall to the earth once again.

I hate the way you wore shorts

Every day

Even in the middle of winter

I hate the way you laughed

The way air whistled through your nose

& gargled in your throat

I hate the way you always texted

In all lowercase

Like your words were insignificant & meaningless

I hate the way your hair covered your eyes

In that casual way

People seem to like these days

I hate the way you smiled

Only halfway

With one dimple carved into your cheek

I hate the way you looked at me

With twinkling green eyes

Like I was the only one in the room

I hate the way you left

Without a word

My only memory of you a crumpled photograph

Now your memory lingers

Like a ghost haunting the hallways of my mind

& I hate the way I can’t forget you

i wish my hair was

straight & shiny

like a smudgeless sheet of glass

cascading perfectly down my shoulders

i wish my eyes were

a bright ice blue

not the muddy brown

that looks like fresh manure

i wish my spine was

straight like everyone else’s

sturdy & strong

not curled like a dying fern

i wish i wasn’t 

so mean

that my words would

bless instead of revile

i wish i was

smarter

stronger

faster

prettier

better

i wish i could 

be myself

without worrying

i won’t be enough

Greatness is a dime

Hidden under the couch

At the bottom of a purse

Carelessly strewn on the road

Only those patient enough to look

May one day possess it

It’s usually right under your nose

All it takes is a bit of effort

Lord when you speak

The world falls silent

My heart is open

My soul is quiet

I welcome your presence

I usher it in

To give me instruction 

and root out my sin

I seek out your wisdom

I rest in your love

I praise with the angels 

For who I’ve become

You’ve taken my sorrow

And turned it to joy

Your cross is the only

Defense I employ

Without you I’m nothing

I’m lost in the dark

I’ve scattered the pieces 

Of my broken heart

But you gathered the shards

Up from the floor

You made me a vessel 

And called me to more

So I’m training my ears

And I wait for your voice

I clear out distractions

And turn down the noise

‘Cause this broken world

Has so much to give

We can strive and pursue

But not actually live

So I want to strain forward

And reach for the prize

The sole purpose and value

Of my brand new life

Lord you take the reigns 

And lead me along

Help me and hold me

Keep making me strong

I welcome your presence

I surrender it all

I’ll boldly continue

To follow your call